Pinning!

My new obsession… Pinterest. I came across this a while back and I’ve been hooked ever since.

What is Pinterest you ask?

Pinterest is an amazing virtual pinboard — where you can create (curate) collections of things you love.  You can then follow collections created by others in the Pinterest community. You will find many like-minded stylistas, party mama’s, foodies, fitness buffs…you name it! I will warn you, it is quite addictive. I’ve already spent a number of hours either on a pinning tangent of my own or exploring the boards of others. Lot’s of fun!

You start of by requesting an invitation. Don’t worry, the wait list is not very long, I received my invite in a couple of days. Once you are up and running, you can invite a few of friends of your own. Here are a few of my curated boards...

Happy Pinning!

Top 5 Sewing Room Wish List

Silly me, how could I create all of these holiday wish lists and then completely forget the very category that I love the most – Sewing? Here is my Top 5 Sewing Room Wish List.

1. Linen Dress Form - $300 USD – UrbanOutfitters.com
2. Gingher Pinking Shears - $22 USD – Amazon.com
3. Amy Butler 9pc Thread Collections - $34.98 USD – Fabric.com
4. Heather Bailey Gift Certificates – Heatherbailey.com
5. The Practical Guide to Patchwork - $21.56 CDN – Amazon.ca

Happy Holidays!!

Top 5 Wish List- Fitness

Here is my Top 5 Fitness Wish List. 

1. Awareness Wrap - $118 CDN – Lululemon.ca
2. Pinnacle Jacket - $298 CDN – Lululemon.ca
3. Dance Sweat pant - $74 CDN – Lululemon.ca
4. MatWare Mat Sleeve - $75 USD – Manduka.com
5. Scuba Hoody - $98 CDN – Lululemon.ca

I hope I've inspired you with a few gift ideas for that Hostess, Fashionista or Active Fitness girl in your life.

Happy Shopping!

Holiday Fashion Wish List

So, my holiday shopping is going pretty well. As promised, here is my Top 5 6 Fashion Wish List. Yes, I cheated here and it’s now 6… you can’t make a girl choose just 5, now can you?!

1. Soft Sakura Skirt $148 USD - Anthropologie
2. Pebbled and Primped Boots - $258.00 USD – Anthropologie
3. Winter Solstice Wrap - $148.00 USD- Anthropologie
4. Tria Sweater Skirt - $128.00 USD - Anthropologie
5. Vintage Re-issue Flap Crossbody - $148.00 USD – Fossil
6. Key-per Triple Pouch - $30.00 USD/CDN – Fossil


I love me some Anthropologie! Can’t you tell!?
Happy shopping!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

The holidays are here and there is so much to be done. I am not one to sit around rhyming off a list of “all of the things I want” for the holidays. I am more interested in what others want, really. And while I know that the holidays are not about the presents and dollars spent, I do like know that I managed to get that one wow gift that a loved one has been keen on for some time and to see their reaction once they open it.

While we are on the topic of wish lists, I wanted to share my personal wish lists in a series of blog posts… My top 5 “wishes” for 3 of the things I love the most: the home, fitness and of course, fashion. Here is my first list; Top 5 for The Home.

1. Inside Out Bowls - $8.00 USD(each)- Anthropologie
2. L’Epice Jars - $4.00 USD (each)- Anthropologie
3. Trousseau Apron - $38.00 USD - Anthropologie
4. Joel Dewberry Sewn Spaces - $18.80 CDN- Amazon.ca
5. Sewing Kit - $30.00 USD – Fossil

Happy shopping!

sew pretty!

While perusing the Fabric Worm website, I came across some new fabric bundles that I may just have to give in to and purchase. I love, love, love these:
 

The Monaluna Organic Monaco 1/2 yard bundle in teal is made up of 8 fabrics.  It is just so sweet and quirky, just like my teen-aged niece.  This has her name written all over it.  I have been promising her a quilt, and I think I have finally found the right fabric.

This Cocoa Custom Cocktail 1/2 yard bundle is a mix of 12 various designer fabrics (Alexander Henry, Michael Miller, Monaluna, etc...), and I absolutely love it for myself.  I adore the warm pinks and cheery yellows against the deep cocoas. 

Every bit of this bundle screams me.  Such a lovely mix! I definitely have to plot out a design that best shows each fabric in all of it's beauty. No room for mistakes or improvising here.

I am so excited, I am not sure which to dive into first.

Amy Butler Soul Blossoms

A little something to look forward to, old news to most of you.  Since early Spring, I have been relishing the release of Amy Butler's Soul Blossoms fabric line, due out this September.

Inspired by Amy's travels to India, this collection consists of rich colours, patterns and beautiful textures.  3 colour collections, Passion, Joy and Bliss make up this stunning collection, in quilting/fashion weight, home decor and laminated options.   Here's a sneak peak.

If only I could afford to buy them ALL... *sigh*  I am  actually quite excited!  Having missed out on a great deal of the Love supply (boo!), I intend to purchase my Soul Blossoms supply promptly here.  Oh, and guess what? There's matching thread.  I love it!

=)

Love my Lug!

So, I got this mini duffle bag from Lug as a generous stocking stuffer from my older sister.  I love it! Rather, it was love at first sight.  I generally don't care for larger bags of any sort and I am quite tired of the oversized, slouchy bags that every girl seems to be toting about town.

I have been looking for a decent bag for which to carry my belongings. As it stands right now, I have a fair sized tote that I use to carry my wallet, keys, phone, etc...  I also have a lunch bag that I carry to work 99% of the time. Finally, I may carry a pair of shoes to change into once I arrive at work (no teetering down the sidewalks in high heels for me...no sir!). If I am lucky, the shoes are small enough to fit into my purse, but those occurences are rare. Most of the time, I feel a bag lady, with so many different parcels hanging from my body. It is frustrating, awkward and makes it tricky to manouver when the subway train is crowded.  If I can sprint a fair distance without dropping any personal belongings or worrying about anything falling out of my bag, I am happy. I like to be contained.

Enter the Lug Tugboat mini duffel (shown above). I received one in pink, and I love it! It will hold all of my usual gear (previously noted) with room to spare and I don't look weighted down. The size is is just right and it does not overwhelm me. This is an important design feature to someone who has a small frame.

I had heard of Lug before, as I recall coming across some luggage straps that I purchased at a local bookstore... maybe 3 or 4 years ago. To some of you, this is not a rare new find at all and it is old news.  I guess for me it is a re-intorduction to the brand. It seems that since my last encounter, they have blossomed into a neat little offering of totes, duffels and travel accessories.  They seem to be a happy little company, with offices in Toronto and Dallas.

This is essentially what I have been looking for. Clean lines, easy to care for fabric (nylon that wipes clean--snow, rain? Bring it!), plenty of space to stay organized.  On my wish list? The RT Puddle Jumper (above) in rose pink (of course), and another Tugboat mini duffle in grass green or chocolate brown (can't decide on the colour...maybe both?).  I will use one for work, one for Boot Camp/yoga, and one for my GO Train travels.  For those of you that fear saturated or vibrant colours, they do offer more subdued options such as gray, teal, black and navy.  Check out their product offering and company info here.

images c/o Lug Travel

Pretty Pages... Part 2

But wait, there's more!  I gushed about how in love I am with my collection of clothbound classic books a few months back. Well, Coralie Bickford-Smith has done it again! She has designed beautiful covers for 10 more literary classics.  

These were available to order in Canada just this past October. It seems that Chapters only has 6 of the 10 titles available... so I will have to keep an close eye out for the remaining 4. Not only are these books that everyone should have in their library (and read at least once), they are also just gorgeous little works of art to have on display in your home.

So pretty...

I Want That!

The school-aged version of myself would have thought she had died and gone to heaven had she received this set of 500 Coloured Pencils! From as early as I can remember, I loved to doodle, sketch, paint…create! My parents can verify that while my siblings were running wild in the park, I was tucked away in a corner, fist full of crayons, drawing for hours on end. I still have this love of art and I occasionally make time for some creative bliss .

I thought I had hit pay-dirt when I received a Crayola Fun Caddy when I was about 7 years old! As a teen, I graduated to Prismacolour pencils, and during my years of post secondary education, I treated myself to the best quality pencils and markers that I could afford.

These 500 Coloured Pencils from Felissimo, are available through Social Designer. These are on my wish list (as in, I really have to believe that wishes do come true to ever expect to receive this as a gift!) One day, maybe one day…I will suck it up and treat myself to a subscription to collect all 500. Yes, this is only available through subscription, at a cost of $33 USD a month for 20 months. You receive 25 colours with each delivery. For details, click here.

Each hue has an inventive name like clown cheeks, apple jam and Kierkegaard. You can even purchase cool storage units to display your collection in all of it’s glory. I picture these on display in my eventual sewing studio/craft room. Oh, how pretty!

So here goes... "Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight…"
;)

I've been a very good girl this year, Santa…

On my Christmas wish list, there are a few Amy Butler related items. I am well stocked where her books are concerned, so no requests there. What I would love is the pattern for the Liverpool Tunic (shirt, tunic, long & short dress)

I first saw this tunic about 2 years ago, when I received her Midwest Modern lifestyle book for my birthday from my fabulous fiancé (thanks honey!). There was picture of Amy wearing this tunic and I thought it was just lovely. I lingered on the photograph and even marked the page to reference easily at any time. Something about the style, the fabric, even the mother of pearl buttons that she chose. I just loved the tunic. I considered taking any old shirt pattern and modifying it to a tunic length, and of course, selecting some delicious Amy Butler fabric to sew it in. I never got around to actually doing that, but whenever I came across the page I mused at how I love the garment.

Well, the pattern for this beautiful shirt had finally been produced and has been available online through several fabric shoppes, like Pink Panda Fabrics. I was thrilled when this became part of Amy’s pattern offering! I have been deciding on whether or not to just buy it, but then I come to find that I would rather purchase a couple of yards of well-priced fabric instead. Especially now…now that my current focus will be on sewing gifts for others. This pattern will not likely be used until well after the holidays are over, so I can put off purchasing it for a little while.

I also adore the Memento Burgundy fabric (from the Amy Butler LOVE collection) that this is depicted in. There are so many things that I want to make with it. I have not been able to get my hands on some of this right now as it sells out quite fast, but I will keep an eye on it and snag a supply when I have a chance. I pretty much want to make this tunic exactly as it is presented. I will no doubt make a regular and longer length version in another colour as well.

So Santa, if you are reading this blog…

How do I love thee?

This coat...the Amber Road Coat, at Modcloth.com is one of the cutest coats that I have come across in a very long time.  I love it! I once purchased a sweater from Anthropologie some time ago, that has the same side gathered collar and it is one of my absolute favourite wardrobe pieces. This coat is so lovely and ladylike.  I love the vintage vibe and the oversized buttons.  Oh, how I would love to have this in my little collection!

This birthday girl may just have to treat herself...
=)

L-O-V-E

I am an Amy Butler junkie! Love her fabrics, love her patterns, own all of her books...love-love-love her! If everything in my world could be in an Amy Butler print, I would be a very happy girl.

I have been waiting patiently for the launch of her LOVE fabric collection for Rowan....  I am relishing the moment that I can place a generous order for the lovely textiles... to have and to hold. Fortunately, some of my favourite Canadian online fabric retailers will be selling this selection pretty soon (yipee!)

Well, I must be a very bad devotee, because I somehow managed to miss this little detail of the Amy Butler Desktop Collection for Mara Mi.  How did I miss this?!  Wasn't I on the website just the other week? Anyone who knows me knows that I have a bit of an obsession with stationery and pretty office supplies. This collection is so very me.

There are three colour ways (Aqua, Coral and Garden).  This collection includes everything you need to stay organized in style. Pretty binders, sticky-note sets, folio pads and desk trays... There are of course many more items to choose from. Details can be found here. As of today, I am enamoured with the Coral Collection, though if I could afford to buy every single product, I would in a heartbeat. 

Well done, Amy! Well done!

I'm sew excited!

While out jogging this morning, I came across a poster in the window of a local knitting shoppe. I have passed this shop on several occasion, but the advertisment caught my eye from some distance away. It advertised the Creativ Festival , taking place in Toronto, October 16th to 18th, 2009 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

I am not sure which rock I have been living under for all these years, but I had never heard of this event until now. And get this, they have a Spring and a Fall festival each year! How on earth did I manage to remain oblivious to that? I was never a hard-core crafter, but I have been an avid sewer for most of my life. I dabble in crafts when the need arises or simply out of curiousity and the desire to experiment. 

Established in 1988 as the Creative Sewing & Needlework Festival, this event has gained tremendous popularity and boasts being the worlds largest event of it's kind.  It appears that they exhibit everything from sewing, beading and knitting, as well as decorative painting and even scrapbooking. Further details on the event can be found here.

While studying the poster in the shoppe window, a woman (whom I assume was the owner) was opening up for business. Upon noticing that I lingered in the window, she was kind enough to discuss the event with me and raved about just how fabulous it is.  Workshops, free demos, door prizes... Not to mention other artisans that share your passion as well as information on starting home-based businesses.  It appears that, if you are creative in any way this is the place to be... and I am taking her word for it. Sounds like a blast! 


Those of you in or around Toronto should check it out. I am sad to have missed so many past shows, but I hope to make this an annual must-do going forward.

Guess which chickee will be attending?

Pretty Pages

This past winter I came across a gorgeous set of Penguin Classics books at my local Chapters Indigo bookstore. I was actually looking for an add-on to a Valentine's Day gift, and these caught my eye. I was spellbound by the beautifully designed book covers. They were so prettily merchandised on a table top, looking like little jewels. I could not stop looking at them and wanted to snap up the whole set then and there. I must have spent a good 10 minutes peering at each book cover. Unfortunately, funds were severely limited and I had to take in last glances and walk on by.

These were designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith, a book cover designer at Penguin UK. The titles included in this beautifully designed series include:

Madame Bovary

Great Expectations

Wuthering Heights

Sense and Sensibility

Cranford

Tess of the D’Urbervilles

Pride and Prejudice

Crime and Punishment

Jane Eyre

The Picture of Dorian Gray

My train ride home was interesting. I attempted to get on with my day and began thinking of the usual chores and errands for the week; laundry, dishes, ironing...books. Groceries, dentist, dry cleaner...BOOKS! By they time I had arrived home, I found myself still enamoured (more like obsessed) with these books. Sure, I already own several of the titles, but I just had to have these. This set had to grace the shelves of my library. I had enough will power to delay the purchase for a while. However, about a month later, I had searched online and was pleased to see that Chapters still had all but one title in stock. I happily ordered the lot and simply picked up the the outstanding title at a later date. I am now on the hunt for bookplates worthy enough to ahere to the inside cover of each book

Lovely, aren't they? I am happy to have made this purchase when I did, as these have been sold out for a while now. Is it a tad excessive to now own multiple copies of Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and Sense and Sensibility? I think not.

Ooooh! Shiny...

Something shiny has caught this little birds eye! So, I've been on the hunt for the odd vintage sewing machine for a while. The trouble is, when you do find one on the web or through any re-seller, they are often in questionable condition. This could vary from missing too many parts or are somewhat damaged enough that you have to service it. Also, everyone's interpretation of "like new" and "mint condition" varies widely. You truly get what you pay for.

I came across the Keeler Sales website this past Spring. This chap in Florida, Greg Keeler, once repaired sewing machines a number of years ago. He also happened to learn automobile painting and detailing from a friend a during this time. He has since retired from the repair business and now applies the learned auto detailing techniques to refurbishing his accumulated supply of Singer Featherweight 221 sewing machines. Beautiful, lovely stuff! You can buy directly from him, or send your Featherweight to him to work his magic on for a fraction of the cost.

Above is an image of the very machine that I am saving up for. Pretty, isn't she? I love the super-shiny paint job and the decals. I am thrilled that it is fully serviced and comes complete with all of the parts, as well as a carrying case. If you require or want extra parts, there are many to choose from that can be purchased separately. There are also a slew of colours to choose from, which is fantastic! Not only will you have a vintage machine, but in the colour of your choice. In my past searches, it can be pretty hit and miss with other re-sellers of this particular product.

Yes, the price is a bit steep, but I feel it is worth the investment. I am saving my pennies as we speak. I have already imagined it's new home, perched on a beautiful vintage tabletop in my eventual sewing room. My other machines will become quite jealous of the attention awarded to this little jewel. I think we will be so very happy together.